Latest news with #HSA
AsiaOne
2 hours ago
- Health
- AsiaOne
Tan Kiat How 'heartened' as vape disposal bin in Bedok half-filled in just 4 days, Singapore News
A red e-vapouriser disposal bin in Bedok was more than half-filled by July 29 — just four days after the Bin The Vape initiative was launched. This was announced by MP for East Coast GRC Tan Kiat How in an Instagram post on July 31. "I'm heartened that many have stepped forth to voluntarily dispose of their e-vaporisers," he wrote. The bin, which is located in Heartbeat@Bedok, has been safely emptied by the Health Sciences Authority (HSA), according to Tan. "I encourage those who have not done so to come forward to bin your e-vapourisers during this campaign period and take the first step towards a better health," he wrote. Tan is also the Senior Minister of State for Health. Campaign began amidst concerns about etomidate On July 25, the Ministry of Health, HSA and People's Association launched the Bin The Vape campaign, encouraging vape users to kick the habit and safely dispose their devices in designated bins set up at 24 locations island-wide. Those who surrender their devices by binning them, or voluntarily seek support for quitting, will not face any penalties for doing so, said the authorities. Bins will also be progressively placed at other locations such as the institutes of higher learning, added the authorities. This came amid fresh public concern over vapes laced with etomidate, an anaesthetic agent that can cause seizures and psychosis. On July 30, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs K Shanmugam stated that as an "interim measure", the Ministry of Home Affairs will be classifying etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA). This is while the Ministry of Health (MOH) conducts further studies to form legislation regarding etomidate and related substances. Etomidate is currently classified as a poison that is regulated under the Poisons Act. [[nid:720786]]
Agriland
8 hours ago
- Agriland
HSA calls for 'renewed commitment' from farmers to prioritise safety
The Health and Safety Authority (HSA) is urging farmers, farmers' families, and all those working in agriculture to prioritise safety as Farm Safety Week 2025 begins tomorrow (Monday, July 21). The HSA said Farm Safety Week is an important campaign that highlights the ongoing dangers faced in farming. The collaborative campaign, which was originally launched by the Farm Safety Foundation ('Yellow Wellies') in the UK and coordinated in Ireland by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), brings together farming organisations from across Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and England to focus on improving farm safety. Farming continues to account for a disproportionate number of workplace deaths. According to the HSA, many of these incidents are preventable, often involving vehicles, machinery, livestock and falls from height. So far this year, there have been 12 farming fatalities, the same amount as the total number of fatalities in farming in the whole of 2024. Of those 12 fatalities, five involved vehicles. In nine of the cases, the deceased was over 65 years of age. Three of the 12 fatalities occurred in Co. Donegal, while there was one fatality each in counties Clare, Cork, Galway, Kerry, Leitrim, Mayo, Westmeath, Wexford and Wicklow. The HSA is encouraging all those involved in farming to use this week to engage in meaningful conversations within families and communities about risk, responsibility, and prevention. Commenting ahead of farm safety week, senior inspector at the HSA Ger Hartnett said: "Each life that is lost in farming is a devastating reminder that safety must come first every day, on every farm. We must remind ourselves that there are 12 families this year mourning the loss of a loved one and we must collectively renew our commitment to prevent further family tragedies. "Farm Safety Week is an opportunity to reflect, to change behaviour, and to take proper action that can save lives. We want to see a change in the attitude towards farm safety. Keep your vehicles and machinery well maintained. Plan all work activity. Rest when you feel tired, take a break. Know your limitations," Hartnett added.
Forbes
15 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
You Can Now Use Your HSA/FSA Funds To Shop For Skincare At Dermstore
A selection of SkinCeuticals products that can be purchased with HSA/FSA funds at Dermstore Dermstore It's happened to practically everyone: As the end of the year rolls around, you realize you still have plenty of funds in your HSA or FSA and not enough time to use it. But a new partnership with Dermstore and Flex can help you spend those bucks in a productive way: You can now use HSA/FSA funds to purchase eligible skincare and health products on Dermstore. 'At Dermstore, we are deeply committed to supporting our customers' skin health journeys with access to professional-grade, expert-recommended products,' says James Bonner, President of US Retail at Dermstore. 'Many of the products we carry are used to treat specific dermatological conditions or support post-procedure care, which are often eligible under HSA/FSA guidelines. However, the process to use those dollars is often long and confusing for consumers. By enabling HSA and FSA payments directly at checkout, we're making it easier and more affordable for customers to invest in their skin health using pre-tax dollars they've already set aside for healthcare expenses.' Though using HSA/FSA funds can sometimes be a lengthy process, Dermstore and Flex have collaborated to make it as simple and seamless as possible. 'For the first time, shoppers can use their HSA or FSA at checkout on Dermstore just like they would use a credit card or PayPal—no receipts, no reimbursements, no waiting,' says Sam O'Keefe, CEO and Cofounder of Flex. 'That ease and immediacy are what make this a gamechanger. It turns what used to be a frustrating, manual process into a seamless and automatic one.' Flex's technology makes shopping for skincare with HSA/FSA funds seamless Flex Flex works with merchants to help consumers use their healthcare dollars more effectively by enabling health and wellness brands to easily accept HSA/FSA payments, unlocking access to over $150 billion in annual tax-free health spending. 'Flex's proprietary technology analyzes a merchant's catalogue to identify qualified medical expenses based on the IRS guidance in Section 213d of the tax code,' O'Keefe explains. 'When a consumer checks out, we validate eligibility at the product level and enable HSA/FSA checkout for qualified purchases.' To simplify the process, customers can build their carts at Dermstore by selecting products marked with the 'HSA | FSA Eligible' badge, making it easy to identify items that qualify for purchase with HSA or FSA funds. At checkout, they simply select their HSA/FSA card as the payment method. 'Flex's technology then verifies eligibility in real time based on IRS guidelines,' Bonner says. 'If necessary, customers also have the option to provide a Letter of Medical Necessity to support their purchase. After checkout is complete, Flex will email an itemized receipt, which we advise customers to keep in case your HSA/FSA provider requests them.' The partnership is a true gamechanger. 'Dermstore is proud to be among the first major beauty retailers to offer seamless HSA/FSA payment at checkout, especially as we've seen growing consumer demand for ways to use these funds beyond traditional healthcare,' Bonner says. 'Many of our customers come to Dermstore for a trusted assortment of dermatologist-recommended products to manage skin conditions, care for post-procedure skin or support their overall skin health. Through this capability, we are not only making products more accessible and affordable but also helping to redefine skincare as an integral part of health and well-being, rather than simply for cosmetic benefits.' A selection of products that can be purchased with HSA/FSA funds at Dermstore Dermstore HSA/FSA funds cover quite a few conditions, including acne, psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, sun damage, cold sores, hyperpigmentation, dry skin, burns, lesions, cuts, abrasions, ulcers and pressure ulcers. 'Skincare is healthcare—plain and simple,' O'Keefe says. 'Conditions like acne, eczema, rosacea and psoriasis can have a huge impact on physical comfort and mental well-being. By enabling HSA/FSA payments for medical-grade skincare, we're helping consumers get access to the treatments they need without jumping through hoops or paying entirely out of pocket. HSA/FSA dollars are tax-free, which means shoppers can save roughly 30% by using them. That's real money back in people's pockets for products they're already buying to support their health.' A range of brands are included, spanning SkinCeuticals, EltaMD, PCA Skin, SkinMedica, iS Clinical, Medik8, Paula's Choice, La Roche-Posay and Supergoop!, to name a few. Flex leads eligibility review directly for all brand and products via their in‑house eligibility review process that classifies IRS‑qualified medical expenses in real time, fully aligned with §213(d) guidelines. 'Over the past year we've introduced our Medical Advisory Board, headed up by Dr. Whitney Bowe, to better inform our assortment and consumer education approach, we've invested in hiring our own staff estheticians so our community can 'text an expert' for more accessible advice and we've launched our Dermstore Collective making it easier for skincare professionals to earn from the advice they give our community,' Bonner says. 'The launch of HSA/FSA payments marks another powerful step forward in Dermstore's commitment to supporting our customers' skin health journeys through trusted, expert-backed solutions.' Dermstore created a dedicated landing page that includes a step-by-step checkout guide and detailed information on shopping across skincare, sun care and devices. 'Additionally, we provide separate list pages specifying all eligible products, which require a Letter of Medical Necessity, and which are auto-eligible,' Bonner says. 'Each qualifying product also clearly displays its eligibility status with an 'HSA | FSA Eligible' badge on its individual product page.' Ultimately, this new partnership will help shoppers improve their skin health and skincare routines. 'By allowing shoppers to use their HSA and FSA funds seamlessly on dermatologist-recommended products, we aim to remove financial barriers that might prevent individuals from investing in their skin health,' Bonner says. 'Access to professional-strength, expert-backed skincare enables customers to better manage skin conditions, support post-procedure recovery, and adopt preventive routines that benefit long-term health and wellness. By making these products more financially accessible, we're also helping customers maintain consistency in their routines—a crucial factor in realizing the full benefits of skincare.' O'Keefe believes the partnership goes beyond saving money and making things easier by showing that skincare is a real part of taking care of your health. 'It makes it easier for people to care for their skin without the hassle or extra costs,' he says. 'Consumer priorities are evolving from purely cosmetic to having a focus on treating underlying conditions. We're excited to see such an established retailer like Dermstore is leading the way in making these products more accessible through HSA/FSA payments and expect many retailers will follow.'
Axios
20 hours ago
- Business
- Axios
GOP tax-spending bill sets path for direct primary care boost
Providers of "direct primary care" who charge patients a monthly fee for unlimited visits and workups are poised to become big winners from the new Republican tax-and-spending law. Why it matters: The law for the first time allows patients to tap their health savings accounts for the concierge-like primary care arrangements, and lets employers extend both benefits, in the belief they're more efficient than the traditional fee-for-service system. The change aligns with a Project 2025 goal to promote more personalized and flexible direct primary care, and a GOP penchant for expanding the use of high-deductible health plans and their tax-advantaged savings accounts. The legislation"takes an impediment out of the way" for employers who want to improve their employees' primary care, said Jim Winkler, chief strategy officer for the Business Group on Health. "It certainly is helpful at a time when employers are very interested in that space." Driving the news: Starting next year, people who have a high-deductible plan and direct primary care membership through their workplace can contribute to an HSA. The ability to invest pre-tax dollars and spend them later on eligible health care expenses can lessen the burden of a large insurance deductible. About 21% of U.S. workers with employer-sponsored health insurance were enrolled in HSA-eligible high-deductible plans in 2024, according to KFF. Until now, the tax code disqualified people who use concierge care from contributing to an HSA. Employers are among those who advocated for the change, which had some bipartisan support, Winkler said. The bill also makes direct primary care membership fees an allowable HSA expense for people who don't get a subscription through their employer. The change opens the direct primary care market to more employers, said Rebecca Springer, director of market development at health care investment bank Bailey and Co. The share of employers offering direct primary care subscriptions grew a staggering 800% between 2017 and 2022, according to a report from direct care software platform Hint Health. Still, a relatively small number of employers offer direct primary care benefits. "It's certainly a tailwind for direct primary care," she added. Yes, but: There are still underlying challenges, tempering expectations of a big boost for the sector, she noted. Direct primary care is still a relatively small segment of health care, and it can be difficult to scale. It's also not very integrated with the broader health system. "What makes a direct primary care model really good for a patient is that they get to spend more time with the physician," Winkler said. Doctors also like the smaller patient loads. "Finding more primary care physicians — and we have a scarcity of that in our country — will be a challenge as this model grows," he said. "It's true of any version of advanced primary care that's rooted in how that physician spend more time with the patient." What we're watching: Whether more physicians start or join concierge care practices going forward. Many have been interested but hesitant to make the leap because until now, there hasn't been a clear financial incentive to help patients afford the services, which can cost up to $150 per month — on top of insurance premiums and specialist copays — for an individual under the new law, said Shawn Martin, CEO of the American Academy of Family Physicians. "Now that that exists, I think you'll see a lot more interest in the model," he said. AAFP's 2024 survey of doctors providing direct primary care found that 94% were satisfied with their overall practice, compared with 57% of doctors not practicing direct primary care.
Singapore Law Watch
a day ago
- Health
- Singapore Law Watch
MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam
MHA to support HSA's crackdown on Kpod abusers and help in treatment of offenders: Shanmugam Source: Straits Times Article Date: 31 Jul 2025 Author: Andrew Wong As an interim measure, the Ministry of Home Affairs will list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act, while it continues to support the Ministry of Health as it decides on further legislative actions to take against Kpod offenders. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will second its officers to the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) to tackle the scourge of etomidate-laced vaporisers, also known as Kpods. On July 30, Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said this comes after a request for assistance from the Ministry of Health (MOH). Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an SGSecure event, Mr Shanmugam said officers from his ministry will assist HSA with enforcement efforts, including the supervision, treatment and rehabilitation of etomidate abusers. Mr Shanmugam, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security, said: 'The cases you hear about are distressing. The abusers of etomidate lose control of themselves, they put themselves in dangerous positions. They become vulnerable. They become zombies.' He said that as an interim measure, MHA will list etomidate as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA), while his ministry continues to support MOH as it decides on further legislative actions to take against Kpod offenders. This comes after Health Minister Ong Ye Kung said on July 20 that MOH and MHA were working together to list etomidate under the MDA. Mr Ong had said the interim measure will be enacted in the coming weeks. Etomidate is classified as a poison and regulated under the Poisons Act. It has clinical use as an anaesthetic agent, and is permitted only in clinical settings and subject to strict conditions. Under this law, abusers face only a fine. Sellers face possible jail time of up to two years. If etomidate is listed as a Class C drug, users can be subjected to supervision and mandatory participation in a rehabilitation programme or committed to drug rehabilitation centres, like what drug abusers undergo. Those who reoffend or commit other serious offences can also be jailed for at least a year. Mr Shanmugam drew parallels between etomidate abuse and drug abuse, pointing to a report in The Sunday Times on July 27 of a mother lamenting her son's addiction to Kpods. Mr Shanmugam said: 'She feels helpless and feels there is no way for her to help her son. Now, this is the damage that vapes laced with etomidate have done within just a short period. This is not just one story. There are many such instances. 'For drugs, the consequences if we take a light approach will be multiplied several fold compared with what you are seeing with etomidate.' Mr Shanmugam said that many ambassadors, foreign ministers and activist groups have told him that Singapore's drug laws are harsh and that the Republic's approach is wrong. Tough measures But he defended Singapore's tough stance. He said: 'Whose streets are safer? Where do parents feel that they can bring up their children in safety? So I tell them, look, you look after yourselves. We (will) look after Singaporeans, and Singaporeans support our policies.' Mr Shanmugam said enforcement and awareness efforts surrounding Kpods may be similar to how MHA deals with hard drugs, adding that such efforts could start in schools and with parents, as vape users are starting the habit at a younger age. He said: 'Our public education on drugs also starts very young and this is something we will have to discuss with MOH, and MOH will have to decide how they want to bring it across and how they want to do the public education for young children.' Several teachers recently told ST how schools were grappling with vapes, with offenders starting the habit in primary schools. Both ministries had told ST on July 12 that they were considering enhancing laws around vaping, to tackle the scourge. Between January 2024 and March 2025, HSA had seized more than $41 million worth of vapes and their components. On July 20, Mr Ong, who is also Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, had said Kpods made up a third of more than 100 randomly tested seized vapes. He said several deaths here, including from traffic accidents and unnatural deaths, have been linked to etomidate. On July 25, HSA said two people involved in a fatal road accident in Punggol Road tested positive for etomidate in their blood samples. The pair were in a car that collided with a bus at about 2.50pm on May 13. They had 42 e-vaporisers and more than 1,200 pods in the vehicle, with some containing etomidate. The 30-year-old male driver is assisting with investigations. His passenger, a 28-year-old woman, died in hospital. The authorities have recently increased efforts to tackle the vaping crisis. On July 9, MOH and HSA issued a circular to public healthcare institutions, telling them to record all suspected and confirmed etomidate-linked vaping cases and to get patients to surrender their vapes. On July 16, HSA said it had taken down more than 600 Telegram groups advertising or selling vapes and Kpods to Singaporeans since April 2024. And on July 25, the Bin The Vape initiative was launched. Vape disposal bins were installed at 23 community clubs and one residents' network centre, where users can throw away the devices without fear of punishment. To report vaping-related offences, call the HSA reporting hotline on 6684-2036 or 6684-2037 from 9am to 9pm daily, including on public holidays. The public can do so online at If you have a story to share about vapes, e-mail us at [email protected] Source: The Straits Times © SPH Media Limited. Permission required for reproduction. Print
